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Caliber: 7.62x54R
Operation: gas operated, short stroke, rotating bolt; semiautomatic
Weight: 4.31kg empty with telescope
Length: 1225 mm
Barrel Length: 620 mm
Capacity: 10 round detachable box magazine
Dragunov SVD was designed not as a "standard" sniper rifle in its Western meaning of
the term. In fact, main role of the SVD in Soviet / Russian Army is to extend effective
range of fire of every infantry squad up to about 600 meters and to provide special fire
support. SVD is a lightweight and quite accurate (for it's class) rifle, cabable of semiauto
fire. First request for new sniper rifle was issued in 1958. In 1963 SVD (Snaiperskaya
Vintovka Dragunova, or Dragunov Sniper Rifle) was accepted by Soviet Military. SVD can
use any kind of standard 7.62x54R ammo, but primary round is specially developed for
SVD snipergrade cartridge with steelcore bullet. Every infantry squad in the Russian
(Soviet) army had one man with SVD.
SVD rifle is extremely reliable in all conditions, and designed for heavy use. It has
backup adjustable iron sights as a standard option, as well as a bayonet mount
(standard AK47 bayonet type).
Latest modernization incorporate rugged polymer stock. Also, for mounted and airborne
troops a special variant was developed with folding buttsock and shortened barrel (590
mm). New flash hider/muzzle brake also installed.
It must be noted that several countries produced SVD copies or lookalikes. Of those, the
"true" clones (rifles that have similar internal design) are Iraqui Al Kadesih rifle and
Chinese Type 85 (in 7,62x54R) and NDM86 (in 7,62x51 NATO). Others, such as
Romanian Romak FPK or Yugoslavian Zastava M76, are only lookalikes as their internal
design is different and usually based on Kalsshnikov AK assault rifle. Russia also
produces a civilan version of the SVD, known as "Tigr" (Tiger), in 7,62x54R and 7,62x51
(.308 Win). This usually has shorter barrel, although it is available in several different
versions. Older hunting version of the SVD, the "Medved" (Bear) is no longer produced
and is quite scarce.
Dragunov SVD is gasoperated, semiautomatic rifle. It uses shortstroke gas piston, and
gas chamber has a twoposition manual gas regulator. Barrel is locked by rotating bolt
with three lugs. Receiver is machined from steel block. The safety is somewhat
reminiscent in its appearance to that of Kalashnikov AK assault rifle, although internal
design of the trigger unit is different, and there's no provisions for full automatic fire.
Trigger unit is assembled on a separate removable base that also incorporates a trigger
guard. The second, smaller lever, located on the right side of receiver behind the safety,
is a receiver cover catch, and is sued to disassemble the gun. Standard furniture
includes a skeletonized wooden butt and a removable wooden handguard. Late
production models may feature polymer handguards and, sometimes, polymer
skeletonized butt. The short SVDS rifle is fitted with separate pistol grip, made of plastic,
and a sidefolding metallic butt. All SVD rifles are fitted with adjustable open sights, as
well as proprietary side rail mount, which will accept telescopic or IR sights on quick
detachable mounts. Standard telescope sight is the 4X fixed magnification PSO1 with
rangefinding reticle. SVD rifles also are issued with carrying sling, cleaning kit and other
accessories. A standard AKtype bayonet can be installed on the barrel.